“What started with the ‘Hallmark Hall of Fame’ in the 1950s has turned into a symbol of connection and care and entertainment and really across the pop culture landscape,” Darren Abbott, Hallmark Channel Media President and Hallmark Chief Brand Officer, told the Television Critics Association members. “Over the years, we’ve leveraged the power of our unmatched fandom to bring our guiding principles of joy, love, and positivity to life.”

Michelle Vicary, Head of Programming, stated, “Over the past 25 years, what we’ve continuously heard from fans and industry peers is that there’s and enduring need for what Hallmark represents, and for the type of content we create.”

Their streaming channel, Hallmark+, now offers next day streaming for the Hallmark Channel’s original movies. And they are now creating exclusive content for that channel as well. Their limited series “Paris is Always a Good Idea,” has been popular with viewers as well as critics. Subscribers to Hallmark+ get additional benefits, including a $5 monthly coupon for online and in Hallmark stores as well as other benefits. And annual subscribers also get an exclusive free keepsake ornament.

Abbott acknowledged, “As a brand and a business, we’re thinking about Hallmark as a bit of an ecosystem. We want to make sure that our content is available for our fans and audience wherever they are, and consumable however they want it to be.”

This year, as usual, Hallmark has a full lineup of holiday films. Vicary said, “The network will dive into seasonality more than ever before… We are rounding out our Fall Into Love programming event, an important bridge to our holiday season, with two new original Halloween movies – ‘A Knight to Remember’ and ‘The Spirit of Halloween.'”

Of course, after Halloween they dive into Countdown to Christmas. This year, Vicary explained, the event “is certain to be our biggest and best holiday season yet, bolstered by partnerships with the Walt Disney Company, Biltmore Estate, and the NFL and Skydance Sports.” They are excited about “Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True” which was filmed at Walt Disney World in Orlando.

“The history with Hallmark and Disney goes back to our founders, and a lot of people don’t realize that they both had a connection to Kansas City. And so there’s a level of authenticity around this partnership that may not exist elsewhere. It’s also an interesting collaboration,” Abbott added.

Hallmark makes over 30 movies each year and has a core group of actors that fans have followed for years. Plus new actors are joining the team. Hallmark Channel and Hallmark+ bring a variety and easy access to feel-good programming.

Some of their popular original series include “The Way Home,” “Good Witch,” “When Hope Calls,” “Chesapeake Shores,” When Calls the Heart,” The Hannah Swensen Mysteries,” Crossword Mysteries,” and “Aurora Teagarden Mysteries.”

For 25 years viewers have relied on Hallmark for entertaining series and movies. Hallmark is now looking toward the next 25 years.